Job Purpose
To provide strategic and operational leadership for the Revenues and Benefits Service, ensuring the effective collection of Council Tax and Business Rates, administration of benefits and discretionary support schemes, and management of debt recovery. The role is responsible for ensuring compliance with statutory requirements, delivering high-performing services, supporting corporate priorities, and deputising for the Revenues & Benefits Service Manager when required.
- Lead and manage the delivery of Council Tax, Business Rates (NNDR), Benefits, and associated discretionary schemes in line with legislation and Council policies.
- Ensure the accurate billing, collection, recovery, and accounting of Council Tax, Business Rates, Business Improvement District (BID) levies, and Housing Benefits.
- Oversee the administration of local discretionary schemes, including Council Tax Reduction, Business Rates Reliefs, Section 13A Discretionary Relief, Discretionary Housing Payments, and other government-funded initiatives.
- Manage debt recovery processes, ensuring arrears, overpayments, and enforcement activities are carried out effectively, proportionately, and in accordance with legislation and Council policies.
- Respond to new Government legislation, funding initiatives, and policy changes, implementing processes to ensure timely and accurate delivery of new schemes.
- Ensure statutory returns, financial reporting, performance monitoring, and management information are completed accurately and within required timescales.
- Develop and implement service plans, business plans, operational procedures, and continuous improvement initiatives to enhance service performance and customer outcomes.
- Lead, motivate, and develop Team Managers and operational staff through effective performance management, recruitment, training, coaching, and succession planning.
- Monitor service quality, ensuring minimum accuracy standards are achieved while identifying opportunities for service improvement and digital transformation.
- Maintain expert knowledge of Revenues and Benefits legislation, providing technical guidance on complex cases and supporting decision-making across the service.
- Develop and maintain effective relationships with internal departments, government agencies, enforcement partners, the Valuation Office Agency, the Department for Work and Pensions, and other external stakeholders.
- Prepare reports, recommendations, and presentations for senior management, committees, and elected members, including hardship relief and debt write-off recommendations.
- Manage allocated service budgets, identify and mitigate operational risks, and ensure compliance with financial regulations and governance requirements.
- Represent the Council at local, regional, and national meetings, working groups, tribunals, and professional forums as required.
- Deputise for the Revenues & Benefits Service Manager, providing leadership and strategic direction across the service.
- Significant management experience within a Revenues and Benefits environment.
- Extensive knowledge of Council Tax, Business Rates (NNDR), Housing Benefits, debt recovery, and local taxation legislation.
- Proven experience managing complex statutory services within a local authority.
- Strong leadership and people management skills with experience leading, developing, and motivating teams.
- Experience implementing legislative and policy changes, service improvements, and operational transformation.
- Excellent analytical, financial, and problem-solving skills with the ability to interpret complex legislation.
- Experience managing budgets, performance frameworks, governance arrangements, and statutory reporting.
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills with the ability to build effective partnerships internally and externally.
- Experience preparing reports and presenting recommendations to senior management, committees, and external bodies.
- Proficient in Revenues and Benefits systems and Microsoft Office applications.
- Relevant professional qualification or equivalent experience in Revenues, Benefits, Local Government, Finance, or a related discipline is desirable.
- Location: Shropshire Council
- Hours per week: 37 Hours
- Bi-Weekly Payments: Payments made every two weeks.
